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U.  S.  DEPARTMENT   OF  AGRICULTURE, 

BUREAU  OF  ENTOMOLOGY— BULLETIN  No.  126. 

L.  O.  HOWARD,  Entomologist  and  Chief  of  Bureau. 


THE   ABUTILOT  MOTH. 


BY 


F.  H.  CHITTENDEN,  So.  D., 

L>  Charge  of  Truck  Crop  and  Stored  Product  Insect  Investigations, 


Issued  December  6,  1913. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE. 

1913. 


U.  S.  DEPARTMENT   OF  AGRICULTURE, 

BUREAU  OF  ENTOMOLOGY— BULLETIN  No.  126. 

L.  O.  HOWARD.  Entomologist  and  Chief  of  Bureau. 


THE   ABUTILON  MOTH. 


BY 


F.  H.  CHITTENDEN,  Sc.  D., 

In  Charge  of  Truck  Crop  and  Stored  Product  Insect  Investigations. 


Issued  December  6,  1913. 


WASHINGTON: 

i  GOVERNMENT   PRINTING   OFFICE. 

1913. 


B  UREA  U  OF  ENTOMOLOG  Y. 

L.  O.  Howard,  Entomologist  and  Chief  of  Bureau. 

C.  L.  Marlatt,  Entomologist  and  Acting  Chief  in  Absence  of  Chief. 

R.  S.  Clifton,  Executive  Assistant. 

W.  F.  Tastet,  Chief  Clerk. 

F.  H.  Chittenden,  in  charge  of  truck  crop  and  stored  product  insect  investigations. 

A.  D.  Hopkins,  in  charge  of  forest  insect  investigations. 

W.  D.  Hunter,  in  charge  of  southern  field  crop  insect  investigations. 

F.  M.  Webster,  in  charge  of  cereal  and  forage  insect  investigations. 

A.  L.  Quaintance,  in  charge  of  deciduous  fruit  insect  investigations. 

E.  F.  Phillips,  in  charge  of  bee  culture. 

D.  M.  Rogers,  in  charge  of  preventing  spread  of  moths,  field  work. 

Rolla  P.  Currie,  in  charge  of  editorial  work. 

Mabel  Colcord,  in  charge  of  library. 

Truck  Crop  and  Stored  Product  Insect  Investigations. 

F.  H.  Chittenden,  in  charge. 

C.  H.  Popenoe,  Wm.  B.  Parker,  H.  M.  Russell,  M.  M.  High,  John  E.  Graf,  Fred 
A.  Johnston,  C.  F.  Stahl,  F.  B.  Milliken,  D.  E.  Fink,  A.  B.  Duckett,  C.  P. 
Clausen,  entomological  assistants. 

I.  J.  Condit,  R.  S.  Vaile,  collaborators  in  California. 

W.  N.  Ord,  collaborator  in  Oregon. 

Thos.  H.  Jones,  collaborator  in  Porto  Rico. 

Marion  T.  Van  Horn,  Pauline  M.  Johnson,  Anita  M.  Ballinger,  Cecilia  Sisco, 
preparators. 
2 


CONTENTS 


Page. 

Habits  and  recent  injury 5 

Synonymy 6 

Description C> 

The  adult 7 

The  egg 7 

The  larva 8 

The  pupa 8 

Experiments  in  control 0 

Bibliography ]0 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Plate  I.  Abutilon  plant,  showing  almost  complete  defoliation  by  larva?  of  the 

Abutilon  moth  (Cosmophila  erosa) 

II.  Leaf  of  Abutilon,  showing  skeletonizing  of  leaves  due  to  larvae  of  the 
Abutilon  moth 

III.  Abutilon  plant,  showing  increased  growth  after  destruction  of  larva? 

of  the  Abutilon  moth  by  spraying  with  nicotine  solution 

IV.  The  Abutilon  moth  {Cosmophila  erosa):  Adult,  larva,  pupa 

V.  Abutilon  leaf,  showing  larvae  of  the  Abutilon  moth;  pupa  on  leaf  .  . 

3 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  Florida,  George  A.  Smathers  Libraries  with  support  from  LYRASIS  and  the  Sloan  Foundation 


http://archive.org/details/abutilonmothOOunit 


THE  ABUTILON  MOTH. 

(Cosmophila  erosa  Hlibn.) 


HABITS  AND  RECENT  INJURY. 

During  September,  1909,  while  stationed  at  Diamond  Springs,  Va., 
Mr.  0.  H.  Popenoe  noticed  that  the  leaves  of  okra,  hollyhock,  and 
Abutilon  on  the  farm  of  the  Virginia  Truck  Experiment  Station 
were  being  badly  injured  by  the  Abutilon  moth  {Cosmophila  erosa 
Hiibn.).  Many  larvae  and  pupae  were  present,  defoliating  the  plants 
mentioned.  The  insect  occurred  in  large  numbers  and  in  all  stages, 
so  that  it  actually  was  a  serious  pest.  From  this  lot  moths  were 
reared  November  13,  1909.  In  October  of  the  same,  year  Mr.  E.  G. 
Smyth,  who  relieved  Mr.  Popenoe  at  Diamond  Springs,  noticed  the 
attacks  of  this  species  on  hollyhocks  and  Abutilon  throughout  that 
month. 

During  early  August,  1912,  the  writer  noticed  this  species  at  work 
on  the  grounds  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  causing  very 
serious  injury  to  Abutilon.  The  previous  year  the  species  was  quite 
abundant  on  hollyhocks,  as  mentioned,  and  "peppered"  them  with 
holes.  The  larval  work  on  Abutdon  was  quite  different.  The  larvae 
were  mostly  small  when  observed,  and  their  place  of  conceahnent  was 
not  at  first  found,  but  larvae  were  obtained  by  inserting  an  umbrella 
under  the  leaves  and  shaking  them  down.  The  heat  at  the  time  the 
observations  were  made  was  most  intense,  and  the  insects  were  un- 
doubtedly concealed. 

Later,  August  30,  1912,  the  writer  observed  the  work  of  this  insect 
on  Abutilon,  and  in  a  short  time  the  larvae  could  be  obtained  from 
the  leaves  in  great  numbers,  as  they  were  rapidly  defoliating  the 
plants.  After  enough  larvae  were  taken  away  for  rearing  purposes 
the  plants  were  sprayed  under  the  writer's  direction  by  Mr.  A.  B. 
Duckett,  September  10.  After  the  spraying,  which  appeared  to  be 
quite  successful,  it  was  found  that  a  few  larvae  were  still  present  on 
the  plants  October  3.  They  ranged  in  size  from  quite  small  to  half 
grown,  and  a  few  pupae  were  still  on  the  plants. 

Mi-.  J.  F.  Strauss  collected  this  species  August  20,  1912,  on  Hibiscus 
esculentus  at  Washington,  D.  C.  In  all  cases  observed  the  12-spotted 
cucumber  beetle  (Diabrotica  duodecimpunctata  Oliv.)  caused  some  of 
the  injury,  wbile  ants  also  invaded  the  open  bolls,  which  they  were 
devouring.     He  noted  that  one  larva  pupated  August  21  and  emerged 

8883*— 13  5 


6  THE  ABUTILON   MOTH. 

as  adult  August  29,  or  in  8  days.  Another  pupated  August  21  and 
emerged  August  30,  or  in  9  days.  That  was  during  a  hot  period, 
and  a  shorter  time  was  taken  to  transform  than  would  be  necessary 
at  a  cooler  time. 

The  opinion  expressed  by  Riley  that  this  is  exclusively  a  southern 
species  was  modified  somewhat  by  the  same  author  when  he  found 
the  eggs  and  larvae  quite  abundantly  in  September,  1882,  on  Abutilon 
avicennse  at  several  localities  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 

On  September  21  the  largest  larva  was  nearly  an  inch  long,  and  on  October  3  it 
spun  up  and  transformed  to  pupa.  The  first  moth  issued  October  15,  and  on  October 
16  several  moths  were  captured  at  sugar.  On  October  22  quite  a  large  number  of 
larvae  of  all  sizes,  from  those  just  hatched  to  the  nearly  full-grown  individuals,  were 
found  feeding  on  the  same  plant  at  Ivy  City,  D.  C,  and  October  25  eggs  and  young 
larvae  were  found  on  the  leaves  of  Malva  rotundifolia  at  Giesboro  Point,  D.  C. 
The  moths  from  these  larvae  began  issuing  December  1,  and  more  than  a  dozen  had 
made  their  appearance  by  December  4. 

In  the  writer's  experience  this  species  appears  to  prefer  Abutilon 
to  hollyhock.  It  does  not  spread  to  any  great  extent,  and  hibiscus 
may  not  prove  to  be  its  natural  food  plant. 

This  species  was  last  seen  on  October  12,  1912,  when  Mr.  M.  M. 
High  sent  one  larva  found  on  cowpea  leaves  at  Gulfport,  Miss.,  and 
on  October  31,  1912,  when  a  moth  issued  from  our  own  material  at 
Washington,  D.  C. 

A  portion  of  a  badly  infested  Abutilon  plant  is  shown  in  Plate  I 
and  a  skeletonized  leaf  hi  Plate  II. 

SYNONYMY. 

This  species  has  been  described  under  several  different  names,  as 
shown  in  the  following  synonymy,  adapted  from  Hampson  (8) : 

Cosmophila  erosa  Hiibn.,  Zutr.  Samml.  exot.  Schmett.,  vol.  2,  p.  19,  figs.  287,  288. 
Cosmophila  xanthindyma  Boisd.,  Faun.  Ent.  Mad.,  p.  94,  pi.  13,  fig.  7;  Moore, 

Lep.  Ceyl.,  vol.  3,  p.  155,  figs.  1,  1  a,  b  (larva);  C.  &  S.  No.  2234. 
Cosmophila  indica  Guen.,  Spec.  Gen.  Lep.,  Noct.,  vol.  2,  p.  396. 
Cosmophila  auragoides  Guen.,  Spec.  Gen.  Lep.,  Noct.,  vol.  2,  p.  397. 
Cirrcedia  veriolosa  Walk.,  List  Lep.  Ins.  Brit.  Mus.,  pt.  11,  p.  750. 
Cirrcedia  edentata  Walk.,  List  Lep.  Ins.  Brit.  Mus.,  pt.  11,  p.  750. 

It  has,  however,  been  generally  mentioned  in  literature  as  Anomis 
erosa  Hiibn. 

DESCRIPTION. 

The  moth  so  closely  resembles  the  cotton  moth  (Alabama  argil- 
lacea  Hiibn.)  of  the  Southern  States  as  to  be  readily  mistaken  for  it 
by  anyone  familiar  with  the  latter.  The  egg  closely  resembles  that 
of  the  cotton  moth.  The  larva  bears  some  resemblance  to  that  of 
the  cotton  moth,  but  more  to  that  of  the  cabbage  looper  {Autographa, 
brassicae,  Riley),  especially  on  account  of  the  structure  of  the  legs,  as 


Bui.  126,  Bureau  of  Entomology,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agnculture. 


Plate  I. 


Abutilon  Plant,  Showing  Almost  Complete  Defoliation  by  Larv/e 
of  the  Abutilon  Moth  (Cosmophila  erosai  at  Washington,  D.  C. 
iOriginal.) 


Bui.  126.  Bureau  of  Entomology,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 


Plate  II. 


Leaf  of  Abutilon,  Showing  Skeletonizing  of  Leaves  Due  to  Larv/e  of 
the  Abutilon  Moth,  Leaving  only  the  Main  Ribs.  Washington,  D.  C. 
(Original.1 


Bui    1  26,  Buieau  of  Entomoogy,  U.  S.  Dept   of  Agncuit.i.-. 


Plate  III. 


Abutilon  Plant,  Showing  Increased  Growth  after  Destruction  of  Larv/e  of 
the  Abutilon  Moth  by  Spraying  with  Nicotine  Solution.    (Original.) 


DESCRIPTION.  7 

shown  in  Plato  IV,  figure  b.  It  will  be  noticed  that  there  are  only 
three  pairs  of  prolegs,  or  prop  legs,  in  addition  to  the  anal  pair.  This 
larva  when  quite  young  is  pale  greenish-yellow,  showing  very  little 
characteristic  marking.  This  is  not  shown  in  the  figure,  because  the 
basis  was  a  photograph,  and  it  could  not  be  filled  out  on  account  of 
the  growth  of  the  material  after  the  first  photograph. 

It  will  be  noticed  at  first  that  the  larva  when  extended  at  full 
length  is  decidedly  slender,  more  so  than  any  species  of  Autographa. 
The  striping  is  similar  to  that  of  A.  brassicx,  and  the  larva  is  inclined 
to  be  translucent  throughout  the  stages.  When  at  rest,  the  body 
may  be  held  perfectly  straight,  as  in  the  case  of  geometrids  or  inch- 
worms.  This  habit,  together  with  the  coloration,  which  is  very 
similar  to  that  of  its  food  plant,  renders  the.  larva  decidedly  incon- 
spicuous; indeed,  it  furnishes  a  most  excellent  example  of  protectional 
coloration. 

Technical  descriptions  of  the  different  stages  follow.  That  of  the 
adult  is  from  Hampson  (8)  and  those  of  the  immature  stages  are 
from  Riley  (5,  6). 

THE    ADULT. 

c?  .  Head  and  thorax  orange  yellow,  irrorated  with  brown;  abdomen  brown  above. 
Forewing  fuscous,  suffused  with  purple  gray;  a  large  yellow  patch  irrorated  with  red 
occupying  the  whole  basal  half  of  wing  except  the  inner  margin;  irregular  ante  and 
post  medial  red  lines  meeting  at  inner  margin,  the  latter  produced  to  an  irregular  angle 
beyond  the  lower  angle  of  cell,  then  excurved  to  its  lower  angle;  a  white  speck  in  cell; 
a  dentate  sub  marginal  line,  the  area  beyond  it  brown;  the  cilia  white  at  tips.  Hind 
wing  dark  fuscous ;  the  cilia  white  at  tips.  Underside  of  forewing  with  the  costal  and 
outer  area  pale,  speckled  with  red;  hind  wing  pale,  the  costal  area  speckled  with  red. 

9.  Bright  orange  yellow;  forewing  slightly  red  speckled  and  with  slight  purplish 
suffusion  below  the  postmedial  line;  the  cilia  white  at  tips. 

(Larva.  With  three  pairs  of  abdominal  prolegs.  Grass  green,  with  dorsal  and  lateral 
series  of  minute  white  specks;  the  prolegs  reddish.     Food -plant  Hibiscus.) 

THE    EGG. 

Diameter  0.8  mm.,  circular,  flat  below;  the  upper  surface  varies  somewhat  in  con- 
vexity, in  some  being  almost  hemispherical,  whilst  with  others  it  is  quite  flat,  in  general 
shape  and  size  reminding  one  of  the  egg  of  Aletia  xylina  [Alabama  argillacea].  Color, 
pale  yellowish  green,  almost  of  the  same  shade  as  the  lower  side  of  the  leaves.  The 
number  of  ribs  which  run  from  the  base  toward  the  summit  varies  in  different  eggs 
from  31  to  38.  Of  these  ribs  from  11  to  13  reach  to  about  one-fourth  the  distance  above 
the  base,  5  to  7  halfway  toward  the  summit,  and  16  to  18  to  near  the  summit.  The 
space  between  these  ribs  is  divided  quite  constantly  by  12  low  transverse  ribs,  which 
at  the  intersection  with  the  radiating  ribs  form  a  small  though  quite  sharp  triangular 
point,  which  is  especially  conspicuous  in  the  empty  egg.  The  spaces  between  these 
ribs  form  shallow,  squarish  depressions,  which  are  finely  granulate.  The  summit 
is  almost  smooth,  surrounded  with  three  series  of  small,  roundish  cells,  which  become 
larger  away  from  the  center,  and  beyond  these  another  series  of  three  rows  of  larger 
cells  of  different  shapes,  though  more  or  less  squarish. 


THE   ABUTILON    MOTH. 


THE    LARVA. 


First  stage. — Length  of  the  newly  hatched  larva,  2  mm.  Color  very  pale  greenish 
yellow  along  the  dorsum,  white  and  transparent  toward  the  sides;  head  pale  yellowish, 
without  any  markings;  eyes  black,  tips  of  mandibles  brown.  Antennae  short, 
3-jointed;  first  joint  stout,  very  short  and  somewhat  conical;  second  joint  longest, 
clavate,  its  tip  obliquely  truncate  externally,  bearing  at  inner  and  outer  angles  a 
stout  spine,  which  is  a  little  longer  than  the  third  joint;  third  joint  shorter  than  sec- 
ond, cylindrical,  with  a  small  tubercle  at  tip,  resembling  a  fourth  joint,  and  provided 
at  its  tip  with  a  fine  hair;  at  the  inner  side  of  the  third  joint,  at  base  of  the  apical  tu- 
bercles, arises  a  stout  spine  \*hich  is  almost  as  long  as  the  joint  itself.  Piliferous  warts, 
pale  brownish,  each  bearing  a  long  and  slender  pale  hair.  Legs  rather  long,  white; 
only  two  pairs  of  prolegs,  situated  on  abdominal  joints  8  and  9. 

Second  stage. — The  first  molt  takes  place  seven  or  eight  days  after  hatching;  at  this 
time  the  larvae  differ  from  the  newly  hatched  specimens  only  in  the  somewhat  larger 
size  and  slightly  darker  color. 

Third  stage. — In  from  six  to  seven  days  the  second  skin  is  cast,  and  with  this  molt 
appears  the  third  pair  of  abdominal  legs  on  joint  7.  They  are,  however,  extremely 
small  and  scarcely  noticeable ;  they  are  not  used  in  walking.  The  color  now  is  a  darker 
green,  lighter  toward  the  sides,  and  with  a  pair  of  rather  indistinct  whitish  dorsal  stripes. 
Head  highly  polished,  pale,  faintly  greenish,  with  two  pale,  dusky  oblique  stripes. 
Cervical  shield  slightly  dusky,  with  a  darker  posterior  margin.  Piliferous  warts 
black,  the  hairs  colorless.  The  abdominal  legs  are  marked  externally  with  a  broad 
dusky  stripe. 

Fourth  stage. — The  third  skin  is  cast  six  or  seven  days  after  the  second  molt.  The 
larva  is  now  almost  of  the  color  of  the  leaves,  and  measures  about  14  mm.  in  length. 
The  median  and  somewhat  wavy  lateral  lines  are  darker  than  the  rest  of  the  body; 
the  subdorsal  stripes  and  sutures  between  the  joints  are  white.  The  prolegs  on  abdom- 
inal joint  7  are  now  quite  distinct,  though  rather  small,  and  are  used  in  walking. 

Fifth  stage. — The  fourth  skin  is  cast  three  to  five  days  later,  the  larva  having  changed 
very  little  in  appearance,  except  that  the  dorsal  and  lateral  lines  and  the  piliferous 
warts  are  distinctly  dusky. 

Sixth  stage. — Five  or  six  days  later  the  fifth  skin  is  shed ,  and  the  larva  does  not  change 
in  appeareance. 

Seventh  stage. — The  sixth  molt  takes  place  about  five  days  after  the  fifth,  and  the 
whole  appearance  of  the  insect  is  considerably  changed.  The  color  is  pale,  trans- 
lucent, pea-green.  The  head  is  not  polished,  of  the  color  of  the  body;  the  two  oblique 
dusky  stripes  are  composed  of  several  irregular  spots;  the  labrum  is  white,  antennae 
pale  greenish,  and  the  eyes  black.  The  median  and  the  two  subdorsal  lines  are  com- 
posed of  numerous  irregular  spots  of  a  lemon-yellow  color,  of  which  those  on  median 
and  the  lower  dorsal  lines  have  a  more  or  less  distinctly  dusky  shade  on  either  side; 
the  lateral  line  is  quite  broad  and  almost  white.  Piliferous  warts  pale  yellow,  sur- 
rounded by  transversely  oval,  indistinct,  dusky  rings.  The  whole  body  is  speckled 
with  numerous,  usually  transversely  oval,  small,  lemon-yellow  spots,  which  inclose 
from  two  to  three  almost  colorless,  glistening,  round  dots.  Stigmata  orange.  Legs 
pale  green;  claws  and  hooklets  pale  brown;  venter  bluish-green. 

Length  of  full-grown  larva  about  35  mm.  (If  inches). 

Larvae  at  work  on  an  Abutilon  leaf  arc  illustrated  in  Plate  V, 
above. 

THE    PUPA. 

Length,  15  mm.  Color,  blackish-brown;  wing-sheaths  opaque,  the  remaining 
portion  faintly  polished.  Front  of  head  prolonged  into  a  short,  stout,  conical  pro- 
jection; near  its  base  ventrally  are  two  fine  and  quite  long  hairs  and  two  similar  pairs 


Bui.  126,  Bureau  of  Entomology,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 


Plate  IV. 


The  Abutilon  Moth  (Cosmophila  erosa':  a.  Adult;  6,  Larva,  Showing  Arrangement  of 
Legs;  e,  Pupa.    Enlarged.    (Original.) 


Bui.  1  26,  Bureau  of  Entomology,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 


Plate  V. 


a,  Abutilon  Leaf,  Showing  Penultimate  Stage  of  Larva  of  the 
Abutilon  Moth  near  Middle;  ft,  Portion  of  Pupa  of  the  Abuti- 
lon Moth  at  Left  on  Leaf,  Showing  Partial  Concealment. 
(Original.) 


EXPERIMENTS  IN   CONTROL.  y 

dorsally  near  insertion  of  antennae.  Eyes  prominent  and  considerably  polished. 
Lege  reaching  to  tip  of  wing-cases;  antenna  shorier.  Median  line  of  prothorax  quite 
sharp  and  carinato.  median  line  of  mesothorax  faintly  elevated,  somewhat  polished. 
The  whole  anterior  portion  of  body  finely  and  closely  granulated.  Metathorax  and 
the  three  following  abdominal  segments,  with  numerous  shallow  circular  depressions, 
each  Inning  a  central  granule.  The  circular  depressions  on  abdominal  joints  4-8  are 
somewhat  larger  and  their  margin  is  slightly  elevated;  the  posterior  third  of  joints 
4-G  is  of  a  lighter  color  than  the  rest  of  the  body  and  very  closely  and  quite  coarsely 
granulated,  while  the  posterior  third  of  abdominal  joints  7  and  8  is  polished  and  not 
granulated.  The  last  joint  is  very  peculiarly  formed;  its  tip  is  broad  and  prolonged 
each  side  into  a  short,  stom.  and  sharp  booth  directed  forward,  and  between  these  two 
is  a  pair  of  slender  and  also  bristle-like  spines,  directed  forward  and  with  their  tips 
curved  in  the  shape  of  a  loop;  another  pair  of  similar  bristle-like  spines,  which  are 
directed  forward  and  inward,  are  situated,  one  at  each  side,  on  a  small  projection  at  the 
base  ventrally  of  the  stout  lateral  teeth,  and  between  these  is  a  large  projection  which 
is  armed  at  its  edge  with  two  large,  stout,  claw -like  teeth,  which  stand  at  right  angles 
to  the  body  of  the  pupa.  The  anal  swelling  is  smooth,  circular,  and  quite  prominent; 
the  remaining  portions  of  the  tip  are  marked  with  coarse,  elevated  ridges,  both  dorsally 
and  ventrally. 

The  pupa  is  shown  in  Plate  V,  below. 

EXPERIMENTS  IN  CONTROL. 

The  following  formula  was  used  for  spraying  the  infested  Abutilon: 

Nicotine  sulphate.  40  per  cent ounce. .       ^ 

Whale-oil  soap pound . .       £ 

Lukewarm  water gallons. .       5 

The  whale-oil  soap  was  thoroughly  dissolved  in  5  gallons  of  water 
and  the  solution,  after  the  addition  of  the  nicotine  sulphate,  was  thor- 
oughly agitated.  The  plants  were  sprayed  in  the  morning  while  some 
dew  remained  on  them,  and  in  the  form  of  a  fine  spray  or  mist  from  all 
sides  as  well  as  from  above  and  below,  the  idea  being,  if  possible,  to 
reach  ever}*  insect  on  the  plants.     The  weather  was  calm  and  clear. 

Two  days  after  this  treatment  about  95  per  cent  of  the  larvae  were 
found  dead.  Only  four  or  five  larvse  were  observed  to  be  living,  and 
these,  it  is  believed,  came  from  adjoining  unspra}*ed  plants.  In  a 
few  days  the  plants  began  to  take  on  a  new  appearance,  putting  out  a 
second  growth  of  leaves.  Unfortunately,  however,  three  weeks  after- 
ward another  lot  of  larvse  attacked  the  same  plants,  although  their 
numbers  were  much  less  than  on  the  occasion  of  the  first  attack. 
They  were,  at  the  time  of  discovery,  full  grown  and  starting  in  to  do 
considerable  injury. 

To  complete  the  experiment,  destroy  the  insects,  and  save  the 
plants,  the  same  solution  was  applied  again  with  the  result  that  it 
entirely  eradicated  all  of  the  insects,  and  the  Abutilon  plants  thrived 
thereafter  free  from  insect  attack  of  any  kind  up  to  the  end  of  the 
season.  (See  PI.  III.)  It  is  believed  that  some  of  the  insects  were 
in  the  egg  stage  when  the  spraying  was  made  on  the  first  occasion 
and  that  they  are  not  reached  when  in  this  condition. 


10  THE   ABUTILON    MOTH. 

An  extremely  interesting  matter  in  connection  with  this  injurious 
occurrence  and  the  application  of  remedies  is  that  throughout  the 
season  of  1913  to  October  13  none  of  the  insects  made  their  appear- 
ance on  the  Department  grounds  where  the  spraying  work  was  done, 
showing  either  the  absolute  thoroughness  of  the  application  or,  possi- 
bly, that  the  bisect  never  returned  to  this  particular  locality. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

The  following  bibliography  is  by  no  means  complete,  but  includes 
references  to  the  principal  literature: 

1.  Hubxer,  Jacob.     Verzeichniss  bekannter  Schmetterlinge,  p.  249,  1816. 
Original  description. 

2.  Hubxer,  Jacob.    Zutrage  zur  Sammlung  exotischer  Schmetterlinge,  zweytea 

hundert,  p.  19,  figs.  287,  288,  1823. 

3.  Guexee,  Achille.     Histoire  naturelle  des  insectes.     Species  general  des  Lepi- 

dopteres.     Noctuelites,  t.  2,  p.  395,  1852. 

4.  Grote.  A.  R.     North  American  Noctuidse  in  the  Zutrage,  second  and  third  hun- 

dreds.   Can.  Ent.,  vol.  12,  p.  JIG,  1880. 
Savannah,  Ga.,  and  Alabama  recorded  as  localities. 

5.  Riley,  C.  V .     Report  of  the  Entomologist.     (In  Report  of  the  [U.  S.]  Commis- 

sioner of  Agriculture,  1881  and  1882,  pp.  167-170,  pi.  8,  fig.  1,  1882.) 

6.  Riley,  C.  V.     Fourth  Report  of  the  U.  S.  Entomological  Commission,  p.  345,  pi.  2, 

figs.  1-3,  1885. 

7.  Smith,  J.  B.    Catalogue  .  .  .  of  .  .  .  Noctuidae  ...  in  Boreal  America,  p.  241, 

1893.     (Bui.  44.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.) 
Bibliography,  description  of  moth,  distribution. 

8.  Hampson,  G.  F.     The  fauna  of  British  India,  vol.  2,  pp.  408,  411,  1894. 

9.  Staudinger,  Otto,  and  Rebel,  Hans.    Catalog  der  Lepidopteren  des  palsearct- 

tischen  Faunen-Gebietes,  3.  Aufl.,  p.  234,  1901. 
10.  Dyar,  H.  G.     Notes  on  cotton  moths.     Inseeutor  inscitiae  menstruus,  vol.  1,  p.  4, 
January,  1913. 
References  under  Cosmophila  crosa  Hiiba.,  food  plants,  and  distribution  In  brief. 


